A report by Turkish newspaper Sözcü regarding an alleged new proposal for the Cyprus talks has triggered debate in Turkey ahead of the informal 5+1 meeting in New York in July and the upcoming NATO summit.
The report attributes the proposal to the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín, although no official confirmation has been issued regarding the reported provisions.
Alleged provisions of the proposal
According to the Turkish publication, the alleged framework includes concessions to the Greek Cypriot side and reciprocal measures for the Turkish Cypriot side as part of an overall Cyprus talks settlement package.
The report claims that Varosha and Morphou would be returned to the Greek Cypriot side, while the Turkish Cypriot community would receive measures including a rotating presidency, participation in a federal council, EU integration benefits, lifting of embargoes, direct trade arrangements, contacts and direct flights.
The publication also claims that energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean would become available for use by the Turkish Cypriot side.
Turkish reactions and comparisons with Annan Plan
According to Sözcü, both Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot side are approaching the alleged proposal cautiously.
The newspaper also refers to reports in the Greek media which, according to its interpretation, suggest Turkey may not have fully ruled out such a prospect.
The issue is expected to feature in discussions surrounding the informal 5+1 meeting in New York, according to the report.
The publication compares the reported scenario to the 2004 Annan Plan and recalls the slogan “Yes be annem”, which was widely used at the time in discussions linked to EU accession prospects.
Former admiral voices criticism
The newspaper also highlighted comments by retired Rear Admiral Cem Gürdeniz, widely regarded as the architect of the “Blue Homeland” doctrine.
Gürdeniz described the alleged proposal as “extremely dangerous” and raised concerns about reported references to Varosha, Morphou, NATO involvement and broader geopolitical considerations.
No official statement has been issued by the UN regarding the reported claims.
Also read: UN Cyprus issue reports due in early July
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